2 Samuel 22:31-51

31 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God, save the LORD? Who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strong fortress; He guides the perfect in his way.
34 He makes his feet like hinds' [feet], Sets me on my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to war, So that my arms do bend a bow of brass.
36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great.
37 You have enlarged my steps under me; My feet have not slipped.
38 I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; Neither did I turn again until they were consumed.
39 I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can't arise: Yes, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For you have girded me with strength to the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
41 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, That I might cut off those who hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; Even to the LORD, but he didn't answer them.
43 Then did I beat them small as the dust of the eretz, I did crush them as the mire of the streets, and did spread them abroad.
44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people; You have kept me to be the head of the nations: A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
45 The foreigners shall submit themselves to me: As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me.
46 The foreigners shall fade away, Shall come trembling out of their close places.
47 The LORD lives; Blessed be my rock; Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
48 Even the God who executes vengeance for me, Who brings down peoples under me,
49 Who brings me forth from my enemies: Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me; You deliver me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks to you, LORD, among the nations, Will sing praises to your name.
51 Great deliverance gives he to his king, Shows lovingkindness to his anointed, To David and to his seed, forevermore.

2 Samuel 22:31-51 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 22

This chapter contains a song or psalm, the same with the eighteenth psalm, and which, according to Jarchi, was composed by David in his old age, and, as Kimchi says, at the end or close of his days; but Abarbinel is of opinion that it was written in his youthful time, in the midst of his troubles, and was sung by him as often as he had a deliverance from any; and which may account for the several variations in it from the eighteenth psalm, which, the same writer observes, are seventy four; and are not to be ascribed to the difference of copies, or neglect of copiers: and very probably, towards the close of his days, he revised it, and made it fit for general use, and sent it with the rest of his psalms to the chief musician; but the particular consideration of it, and of the differences in it from Ps 18:1-50 are referred to the exposition of that book in its course.

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.